More than 20 passengers were feared trapped after a Tamil Nadu government bus overturned and fell into the Azhutha Kanni river near Vettaikarankulam in Tenkasi district on Sunday, triggering a rescue operation by fire and rescue personnel.
The bus was travelling on the Tenkasi–Tirunelveli route when it overturned and plunged into the river, which is around 30 feet below the road level, police said. There were 32 passengers on board at the time of the accident.
Police said more than 20 passengers were feared trapped inside the bus after it fell into the river. Tenkasi fire and rescue personnel rushed to the location after receiving information and began efforts to reach those inside the vehicle.
Seventeen passengers were injured in the accident, according to police. The driver, identified as 49-year-old Sivasakthi, sustained severe injuries and was shifted to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
The other injured passengers were taken to Tenkasi Government Hospital. The report did not provide an official confirmation of fatalities or the final number of passengers rescued at the time of publication.
The crash places attention on the risks faced by passengers on routes where roads run alongside deep water channels and rivers. The available information does not establish what caused the bus to overturn or whether road, vehicle or operating conditions contributed to the incident.
Courtallam Police are investigating the accident. Further details on the rescue operation, the condition of the passengers and the circumstances leading to the crash are expected from the authorities.
